MLB SUPER SUNDAY

As per usual, Sunday night looks like a very nice card with a wide spectrum of betting opportunities. The matches which I would look to specifically focus on are the Chicago Cubs @ Cincinnati Reds, the Cleveland Indians @ Kansas City Royals and the New York Yankees @ Seattle Mariners.

CHICAGO CUBS (Marshall 3-4, 4.03) @ CINCINNATI REDS (Harang 4-15, 5.24)
7th September - 18:15 GMT

Something just smacks of a run fest about this one. With a pitcher that has made poor starts consistently all season in Aaron Harang going up against a youngster in Sean Marshall that is really just a bullpen pitcher converted into a starter we already have a recipe for runs. Throw into the equation, the fact that the Reds have nothing to play for this season and will merely want to put on a show for their fans and the Cubs are pretty much assured of a post-season place so do not have the pressure on their shoulders like some of the other teams around.
If you were asking me to pick a winner of this one then I would hesitantly plump for the Cubs, merely because they have more accomplished hitters in their team and have generally proved to be the classier unit throughout the season. I certainly wouldn't be recommending a bet on this though because if there is to be a reasonably high amount of runs in potential, then it is difficult to gauge how long each starter will be left on for therefore increasing the risks involved.
Ignore the outright market and even ignore the standard total runs market. Look to Bet365's enhanced total runs market where you will see that 10.5 is available instead of 9.5, giving you a bigger price. I expect the minimum of Eleven runs and therefore, that is my recommendation to you.
On a separate note, Alfonso Soriano hit an incredible three home runs in the contest between these sides last night so watch out for him tonight!

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Alfonso Soriano (.291, 27 HR, 69 RBI, 17 SB) Chicago Cubs
Brandon Phillips (.264, 21 HR, 77 RBI, 23 SB) Cincinnati Reds

RECOMMENDATION - 2 Points Over 10.5 Additional Total Runs Market @ 2.2 (Bet365)

CLEVELAND INDIANS (Lee 20-2, 2.32) @ KANSAS CITY ROYALS (Greinke 10-9, 3.67)
7th September - 19:10 GMT

In my opinion, we have the two team's respective best pitchers going up against each other tonight. Cliff Lee has been an absolute phenom so far and is headed firmly towards the coveted CY Young award for the American League which considering some of his previous troubles is an absolute triumph. To have an earned run average in the low two's is one thing, but to have a 20-2 record is just incredible and makes you wonder what might have happened if the Indians had kept CC Sabathia until the end of the season. Zack Greinke is a very solid pitcher that has excelled himself this year, and often he has to perform without being secure in the knowledge that his teams hitters will back him up.
I am completely convinced that the Indians will win this match. With a lights out pitcher taking to the mound for a team that has won thirteen of its last eighteen games it is hard not to be convinced. Kansas have always gave their all, but to be honest, they have a real lack in quality hitters. The lack of power displayed by the Royals throughout the season has ensured that they have never got close to competing for honours.
If we compare the two teams respective statistics, you will find that the Indians (681) have scored ninety nine more runs that the Royals (582) and conceded sixty seven less. (Indians conceded 639 to Royals 706) This displays quite a significant gulf in class and should be capitalised upon.
If I were looking to price the Indians up, they would be close to the 1.5-1.55 mark, yet the bookies seem to continually underestimate Cliff Lee and a very generous 1.7 is available.
Pile in ladies and gentleman. A good alternative if you don't like backing at odds on is the also extremely generous price on the Indians to have the highest scoring innings of the match @ 2.25. Amazing considering Lee has dealt in single figures for the majority of the season.

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Grady Sizemore (.271, 31 HR, 84 RBI, 35 SB) Cleveland Indians
Jose Guillen (.252, 18 HR, 86 RBI, 2 SB) Kansas City Royals

RECOMMENDATIONS - 4 Points Stake on Cleveland Indians @ 1.7 (WBX)
2 Points Stake on Cleveland Indians Highest Innings Scorers @ 2.25 (Bet365)

NEW YORK YANKEES (Mussina 17-7, 3.39) @ SEATTLE MARINERS (Silva 4-14, 6.53)
7th September - 21:10 GMT
Well what do we have. We have the inconsistent Yankees bringing their current best pitcher in Mike Mussina to the mound up against one of the worst teams in the majors and one of the worst starting pitchers around right now. Carlos Silva has been battered from pillar to post all year long and quite frankly, I have no faith left in him this season.
So what do the Yankees have to offer as an outright back for this one? Well not a lot in terms of value really. The prices are not tempting enough considering that the Yankees have on occasion proved blunt, as they did so against Tampa Bay on Thursday night where they went eight innings without scoring a run yet managed five in the ninth inning. This is how puzzling the Yankees have been at times. The fact that they can unless such brutal offense in a single inning yet still lose the match overall makes me think that although 1.56 may still be a tempter for some on an outright Yankees bet, I think the value lies in the 'Highest Scoring Innings' market. The Yankees are available at 2.05 and this has to represent incredible value considering how many runs that their star studded line up could belt past Silva or the bullpen in any given innings.

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Bobby Abreu (.302, 16 HR, 87 RBI, 18 SB) New York Yankees
Ichiro Suzuki (..309, 5 HR, 39 RBI, 40 SB) Seattle Mariners

RECOMMENDATION - 2.5 Points Stake on New York Yankees Highest Innings Scorers @ 2.05 (Bet365)

It is going to be a cracking night of baseball action, so have fun and be lucky!

Crafty Stan